Corsham A team were in action over at Trowbridge, where the water was as pure as a Huw Parks diametric opposite. Just in case we needed reminding, Warminster showed this is going to be a tough campaign and put on an outstanding display of competitive swimming and Trowbridge weren't far behind either. For the team to extend their advantage at the top of the division by 7 points, really speaks volumes for every member of the team. Every point was precious and everyone battled hard. Even so, with just the final 4 relays to go we were just behind, but by winning those last 4 events in magnificent style the win was secured. This was a very exciting gala with superb racing and credit must go to all the teams present. Just to pick out a couple of swimmers: Lauren Jones bagged 2 individual wins, as did Melissa Birkett (one being up an age group) and Mike Edmundson. It was great to see Jamie Butler back in competition and he started the evening off in great style with a win in the 100 IM. I'd like to give a mention also to Hayley and Kelly Orner (or is it Kelly and Hayley, never can tell). I think they've really stepped up this year and are making huge contributions.

Final scores: Wroughton 91, Trowbridge B 130, Warminster 135, Corsham 142

The C team were also in action at the Link. Details to follow.

It seems that a lot has gone on recently that has not been reported, so here's a quick round-up of swimming stuff.

The district events took place as usual. The Youth write-up is below, but we also had Melissa Birkett swimming in the Age-groups in her Team Bath hat, and she put in a very good performance in the 100 backstroke. Beating her short course PB in a 50m pool.

Melissa also took part in the sprints with 4 (I think) more PBs. Joining her were Myles Hickman, who also had a very successful sprints with 4 PBs which included a couple of victories, and Steve Worthy, still racing hard and loving it. Well done to all.

The Club Sprints went off extremely well. Excellent racing and a few new Championship records. Also, special mention go to Sam Ross and Amy McRae as they posted new Club Records in the 50 Breaststroke. Results are here for Session 1 and Session 2.

Finally, the Summer League round 2. The division 3 (Corsham A) write up is very short as this meet was postponed due to the water being too wet, but the warm-up was exceptional. Corsham B did extremely well to finish 3rd in Div 4, and I've noticed have been given 3rd in the first round also after a re-calculation, so that's brill. Let's see if we can hold that place. Corsham C in their epic battle with Tigersharks are doing great. A lot of first time competitors here, but they're swimming their colective socks off and we're extremely proud of them.

Corsham A gathered for a new season of Summer League at Springfield. Never sure what each year will bring, or what the new opponents will be like, but it was a very satisfactory start, Corsham finishing top with a 12 point cushion over Warminster. There were excellent performances across all the age groups. I think especially pleasing were the performances of the younger age groups, with the boys team of Sam Ross, Jonathon Brend, Oliver Fisher and Joe Roland gaining 3 outright wins as well as other good finishes. They were matched by the girls, with Charlotte McGettigan, Ella Humphries, Charlotte Rice and Lauren Jones also with 3 outright wins. So well done to those and all the swimmers, keep it up.

The B and A teams also competed extremely well I'm told. Many of the C team competing for the first time. i'll post a report when I get one.

An larger than normal number of Corsham swimmers qualified for this years age group Wilts Championships held at The Lnk centre, Swindon. Satisfying enough in itself, but made even better by the performances. There really were some outstanding results and loads of PBs.

The 100m Fly being a case in point. Peter Ammel and Megan Trollope absolutely stormed the second 50 to improve their PBs by 8 and 17 (yes 17) seconds respectively. Hayley and Kelly Orner knocked about 7 seconds off as did Huw Parks (good enough for 3 rd place). Huw also gaining a 3 rd place in the 200m fly.

Overall, medals were hard to come by, as you’d expect and our only other top 3 finish was Lauren Jones who gained a 3 rd place in the 11 year Girls 100m Breaststroke. However, the competitiveness of our swimmers was very encouraging. Jesse Bacon, in his first Wilts Bagcats looked great in winning his heat, and our young boys trio of Duncan Wilson, Sam Ross and Matthew Harris placed highly. Of the older boys, James Marygold came so very close to breaking the 1 minute mark for the 100m freestyle Lawrence Meiklereid as always was outstanding in the backstroke events and Alex Jones had 5 PBs out of 5.

It was a similar story for the girls. In addition to those mentioned above, Saffron Green placed well in the 50 freestyle and breaststroke and Melissa Birkett, who had an extremely busy championship, confirmed her District place in the 100m Backstroke.

Full results can be viewed on the Wilts ASA website.

Well, the usual mayhem, but you have to love these finals.

Down in Trowbridge, the A team found themselves without several key swimmers, but in a true testiment to the spirit of the team, they came through with flying colours. Those people swimming up did so magnificently and the team cruised to a second successive 2nd gala victory. Let's give the young 'uns some lime-light today. The boys with Elliot Berning, Huw Parks, Matt Harris and Dominic Meiklereid have always given their all, and the girls with Megan Trollope, Lauren Jones, Saffron Green, Charlotte McGeettigan and Zoe Walters look a very promising group. The boy and girl swimmers of the gala were Steve Worthy and Emma Mortimer.

There was a terrific atmosphere at the pool and I must thank and congratulate all the other teams present for their contribution and sportsmanship.

Unfortunately, some dufus forgot to take his camera, using some excuse about being on a wave of euphoria after the Welsh Grand Slam.

The B team were placed 16th in this years final rankings (their highest ever placing in the winter league), which meant a final against A teams Wootton Bassett and Wroughton, plus Tigersharks B. This was always going to be a tough tie and it was not really surprising that the team finished 4th on the night. However, after 20 races they were only 4 points behind Tigersharks and had gained lots of second and third places. Team spirit was as strong as ever and what they may have lacked in terms of performance, they certainly made up for in terms of support. This was undoubtedly the noisiest B team I have ever heard! It was decided not to award "Swimmer of the Gala" this time as it was a genuine team effort. Thanks to everyone who has assisted at this years winter league fixtures, and to the small army of mums and dads who turned up to support on Saturday. 

Keep an eye on the Wilts Web site for full results (not available at the time of writing).

This years youths championships saw the largest ever number of competitors from the Club and they all acquitted themselves well. We had two outright wins, several podium finishes, and a haul of silver and bronze medals. So well done to Melissa Birkett, Amy McRae, Emily Hall, Alice Wilson (6th in the Junior Championship for 100 freestyle), Ellen Wilson, all of whom won silver or bronze medals. The boys did slightly better with outright wins in their age groups for Jamie Butler, Jack Thomas and Steve Worthy (by 100th of a second - phew!). Other podium places went to Myles Hickman, James Marygold (competing in his first Youth Championship) and Richard Worthy, for places obtained in the Junior & Senior championship for 50m breaststroke. Other medal winners were Matthew Cruse, Matthew Evans & Nicks Parks, plus great performances from Max Hamblin and Ben Leverett-Jacques. Special mention for Steve, Jack and Matt for their 1,2,3 in the Open 200 metre breaststroke. 

Full results for this years Youth can be found on the Wilts ASA website